Rural Economy

Rural enterprises can build resilience with five Cs, says Rohit Kansal

An IIM study shows monthly incomes of 'lakhpati didi' households rose by 61 per cent in the past year, says Amit Shukla, joint secretary in the rural development ministry.

India's rural economy decoupling from monsoon shocks, says RBI report

Rural incomes are becoming less dependent on monsoons as allied activities, irrigation and diversification cushion the impact of rainfall shortfalls.

VB-G RAM G: Work demand from households rises 34% to 15.64 mn in September

Household demand reaches 15.64 mn amid monsoon deficit in south, west states, up 26% from August

Weak monsoon dents rural demand as tractor sales fall in September

Tractor sales at Mahindra & Mahindra fell 21 per cent, and Escorts Kubota's declined 16.7 per cent in September, while passenger vehicle demand remained strong ahead of the festive season

From farmers to shopkeepers, India counts the cost of a weak monsoon

Rice yields have fallen after erratic monsoon rains, while higher farm input costs threaten rural incomes and spending during the key wedding and festival season

The paradox of a 'women-friendly' sector

Rural women continue to spend nearly 286 minutes per day on household chores and caregiving - almost seven times more than men

India's 43 mn rural enterprises can lift jobs, incomes with support: Report

The report also finds that hired-worker enterprises are more likely to have owners with higher educational attainment and access to formal bank accounts and computers.

Rural economy became more resilient in past 15 years: Poonam Gupta

RBI Deputy Governor Poonam Gupta says higher irrigation coverage, allied activities, mechanisation and better crop varieties have made the rural economy and agriculture more resilient.

Unemployment among rural women at one-year high in June: Experts

Weak monsoon and delayed kharif sowing may have pushed rural women's unemployment to a one-year high in June despite higher labour force participation

'Low income levels crimp panchayats' ability to raise own-source revenue'

Low incomes, limited economic activity and weak tax collection continue to constrain panchayats' own-source revenue, affecting their financial autonomy

VB-G RAM-G weakens rural employment guarantees, shifts power to Centre

The revamped rural jobs programme weakens the safety net and shifts power from states to the Centre

VB-G RAM G Act comes into force: Centre hikes average wages by 10%

The Centre has notified minimum wages under the new VB-G RAM G scheme, raising the national effective floor wage to ₹327.4 a day, while Congress called the rates inadequate

Centre releases draft rules for VB-G RAM G Act, invites public feedback

The Centre on Saturday published draft rules under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VBG RAM G) for public consultation, following the notification of the law's implementation across all states and Union Territories from July 1. Framed under Section 33 and other relevant provisions of the Act, the draft rules have been placed in the public domain to facilitate wider stakeholder consultation before they are finalised. The proposed rules cover transitional provisions, the National Level Steering Committee, the Central Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Council, administrative expenses, grievance redressal, payment of wages and unemployment allowance, and expenditure incurred in excess of normative allocations, including expenses for Union Territories without legislatures. Officials in the Ministry of Rural Development said the rules are aimed at establishing the institutional, administrative, financial, and governance framework for implementation of

VB-G RAM G replacing MGNREGA to come into force across India from July 1

The Centre has notified the VB-G RAM G Act, replacing MGNREGA from July 1, 2026, with a 125 day rural employment guarantee and expanded infrastructure creation mandate

Datanomics: One in four Indians still lacks access to safe drinking water

India has improved access to safe drinking water, but one in four people still lack reliable supply, with rural areas and groundwater dependence a key concern

Centre releases ₹17,744 crore as first wage instalment for MGNREGA in FY27

Centre clarifies scheme to continue till VB-GRAMIN is rolled out

El Niño 2026: Why India's rural economy may weather the storm better this time

IMD flags a 31 per cent probability of "below normal" monsoon and a 35 per cent chance of rainfall below 90 per cent of LPA-risks for agriculture, heatwaves, and demand

Many Opposition-ruled states have provisioned VB G RAM G funds: Chouhan

Chouhan also said that the Opposition's protest against VB G RAM G has failed to garner any public support because the country has accepted it as a better scheme than its previous version (MGNREGA)

High spectrum costs and rural gaps weigh on India's telecom growth

High spectrum costs and legacy liabilities are squeezing telecom cash flows, prompting the industry to seek policy stability and recognition as critical national infrastructure

Centre, BJP counter Congress-led Opposition campaign against VB-G RAM G

As the Centre pushes VB-G RAM G to replace MGNREGA, the BJP and Congress lock horns over federalism, funding burdens and the future of rural jobs